Chicana 2000 speaker focuses on `Day of the Dead' headline
By KRISTIN WYNKOOP
News Writer
Illuminated by the soft light of a candle, the small altar in Saint Mary's Stapleton Lounge was cluttered with pictures of skeletons, a photograph of a deceased grandmother, an old prayer book and a skull.
Father Arturo Perez Rodriguez, an administrator at two Chicago churches and instructor at the Catholic Theological Union, spoke about "The Day of the Dead" Thursday.
The lecture was the second in a series of four chosen for the theme of Jubilee Time: Chicana 2000 presented by the Center for Spirituality at Saint Mary's.
El Dia de los Muertos, or rather the Day of the Dead, is not a morbid and grief-filled day for its participants, according to Rodriguz.
"Some would say Mexicans enjoy a good party," said Rodriguez. "The Day of the Dead is a part of that."
The celebration occurs annually in conjunction with All Souls celebrations in the Catholic Church, but the day plays a special role for Mexicans as a personal celebration among families. When a person dies, the family celebrates his entrance to eternal life for the nine days preceding the funeral.
Communal prayer, skeletal symbols and food in the shape of human forms are all important aspects of the celebration.
"Candy skulls are often bought with the name of the dead on them. Skulls mimic us, and remind us of who we will be one day," said Rodriguez.
Images of death are not dreaded by the Mexican culture because death is considered an inevitable reward for life.
"Every culture must learn to live with death. Death is not only to be expected, but to be embraced. It is to wake up from this dream called life," said Rodriguez.
The Day of the Dead is practiced by many other individuals who simply appreciate its enlightening view about a topic that is uncomfortable to many.
While the Day of the Dead does have strong historical and cultural roots, it is constantly changing as new influences emerge. Rodriguez shared a story that hit much closer to home, but still embraces the traditional celebratory aspects.
Liturgy teams from a parish on the southwest side of Chicago recently decided to go out into their community and offer the Day of the Dead celebration to the gangs that had entered the area. The gang members took part in the activities of the celebration after one of their members was killed.
"They taught them how to put together an altar, what should be included on it, and what it meant to their culture. They were not judged and condemned, but rather invited to be a part of the celebration of death and to respect it," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez believes the ceremony is not just for tradition's sake, but provides a working solution for dealing with death.
"It is so important because it challenges contemporary views on death," said Rodriguez. "Death is but one more way to celebrate life."
All News Stories for Friday, September 15, 2000
